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Severe Typhoon Usagi left 25 dead as it made landfall in southern China on Sunday, and caused chaos across Hong Kong, throwing flight schedules into disarray and bringing flooding to some areas. SCMP.com was on hand to live blog.

1.05am: Severe Typhoon Usagi has weakened into a typhoon, says Hong Kong Observatory. The number 8 storm signal will remain in force overnight, as the typhoon moves away from Hong Kong.

11pm: Usagi is centred about 90 kilometres northeast of Hong Kong Observatory (near 22.9 degrees north 114.7 degrees east) and is forecast to move west or west-northwest at about 22 kilometres per hour and continue to cross the coastal areas of Guangdong.

10.50pm: Hong Kong Airport Authority says a total of 177 arriving and 193 departing flights were cancelled on Saturday, while another 54 arrivals and 22 departures were delayed.

9.05pm: Hong Kong Government announces 23 temporary shelters are open across the city for "people in need of refuge during the passage of the severe typhoon". Call the Public Inquiry Service hotline on 2835 1473 for details.

8.55pm: Severe Typhoon Usagi made landfall near Shanwei, Guangdong province, about 140km away from Hong Kong, at 7.45pm, the Observatory said. Usagi continued to approach Hong Kong as a Severe Typhoon. Usagi will skirt to the north of the territory at around 100 km later tonight and early tomorrow morning. The storm is forecast to move west or west-northwest at about 22 kilometres per hour and continue to cross the coastal area of Guangdong.

8.40pm: Typhoon Usagi, this year's biggest storm, tonight makes landfall at Guangdong as it was expected to pass within 100 kilometres of Hong Kong. Usagi continues to approach Hong Kong as a Severe Typhoon. Usagi will skirt to the north of the territory at around 100 km later tonight and early tomorrow morning.

8pm: Usagi is centred about 140 kilometres east-northeast of the city, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. It is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22 kilometres per hour towards the coastal areas to the east of Hong Kong and continue to cross the coastal areas of Guangdong.

In the past hour the maximum sustained winds recorded at Cheung Chau, Lau Fau Shan and Chek Lap Kok were 68, 63 and 62 kilometres per hour respectively.

China's National Meteorological Centre said that Usagi landed at around 7.40pm near Shanwei, Guangdong, about 140km east of Hong Kong, packing strong winds with speeds of about 45 metres per second.

The Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan has been closed temporarily due to tropical cyclone warning signal No.8, the Marine Department announced.

A storm surge induced by Usagi may still lead to flooding in low-lying areas tomorrow morning. The Observatory said the public should be on the alert and take precautions against strong winds and flooding as early as possible.

A dozen hardcore surfers remained in Big Wave Bay an hour or two before the No 8 signal was hoisted. They said the wave was not particularly strong. The beach was so popular that the 30 parking lots were almost full.

But some surfers did give up. "The wave is really strong. It could be more dangerous later," said Ted Wong.

By 7pm, all flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport were cancelled until further notice.

China's National Meteorological Centre has said that Usagi is likely to land tonight somewhere between Huilai and Huidong on Guangdong's eastern coast, only 30-40km east of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchanges announced that it would not trade tomorrow if the signal 8 remained in place after 12 noon. However, it will open if the signal is discontinued at or before 7.30am.